decontaminate
Pronunciation: [ˌdiːˌkɒn.tæm.ɪˈneɪt]
Word
Context: "health and safety"
(verb) to remove harmful substances, like dirt or germs, from something so it is safe to use again. It’s like cleaning something very carefully to make sure it’s not dangerous anymore.
Example
The hospital workers made sure to decontaminate the equipment before the surgery.
Example
They did not decontaminate the tools, which made the area unsafe.
Example
How do we decontaminate the area after the spill?
Context: "environmental science"
(verb) to clean up a place that has been polluted. This means getting rid of harmful chemicals or waste so the environment can be safe and healthy again.
Example
Many volunteers helped to decontaminate the park after the oil spill.
Example
The river was not decontaminated, so the fish were still in danger.
Example
What methods can we use to decontaminate the contaminated soil?
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